Anthony LaPaglia Joins Django Unchained, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Role Revealed

Deadline reports that Australian actor Anthony LaPaglia (The Client, Empire Records, Summer of Sam) has joined Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. He'll play the leader of the Australian slave-trading gang who kidnap Django (Foxx) and his wife Broomhilda (Washington) selling them to Calvin Candie (DiCaprio). LaPaglia revealed that Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception, Dark Knight Rises, 50/50) will play his younger brother in the film. This is confirmation that Joseph has been indeed been cast. It will be interesting to see Gordon-Levitt adopt an Australian accent along with playing a villain.

Kerry Washington Officially Joins Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained

Deadline reports that actress Kerry Washington (Last King of Scotland, Ray) has finally been confirmed for the lead female role in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. It's been rumored since the summer that Kerry was up for the role of Django's wife Broomhilda who is being held captive by Calvin Candie (DiCaprio).

Tom Savini Joins Django Unchained

ThePlaylist has picked up a on report that special effects guru and genre character actor Tom Savini has joined Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Savini is a regular in Robert Rodriguez's films with roles in Planet Terror, Machete and From Dusk Till Dawn written/co-starring Quentin. The film already stars Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Dennis Christopher, Kurt Russell, Laura Cayouette,  M.C. Gainey, Don Johnson and Michael K. Williams.

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Two More Join Tarantino's Django Unchained, Production Starts In November

HeatVision reports that another role in Django Unchained has gone to actor who has previously worked with Quentin. What had been long rumored as a role for Uma Thurman has gone to Laura Cayouette. The role is Lara-Lee the widowed sister of Calvin (DiCpario). Laura had a small role playing a stripper named Rocket in Kill Bill Volume 2. They mention production is set for November which is earlier than previously reported. ShowBlitz also has revealed that Dennis Christopher (Chariots Of Fire, Breaking Away) is negoations to take the role of Calvin's lawyer Leo Moguy. The cast already includes Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael K. Williams, Kurt Russell and Gerald McRaney.

Kurt Russell In Talks For Django Unchained

HeatVision, TheWrap and ShowBlitz report that Kurt Russell is in talks to replace Kevin Costner as Ace Woody in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Costner had to leave the film to focus on other projects he previously committed to. Ace Woody is brutal trainer of the slaves who fight at Calvin Candie's (DiCpario) Candyland. Kurt previously played the villain in Tarantino's Death Proof, his underrated jump into the horror genre. He's best known for his string of John Carpenter films from the 80's that include The Thing, Escape From New York and Big Trouble In Little China.

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Michael K. Williams Confirms Django Unchained Role Is A Go

AICN was able to speak with Michael K. Williams (Boardwalk Empire, The Wire) about how close he is to getting a role in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Williams came in second place for the lead of the film against Jamie Foxx. Apparently Quentin wanted him so badly in the film he's gone back to create a new role for him.

"I’m going to dare to say it’s going to go."

Michael K. Williams Could Join Django Unchained

There had been rumors that Michael K. Williams (The Wire, Boardwalk Empire) had been in the mix for the role of Django in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Micheal confirms this to Shadow&Act (via ThePlaylist) and has finally comments on the whole thing. He doesn't say it's a sure thing but Tarantino is trying to create a character for him so that he would appear in the film. Williams is best known for his legendary role of Omar on the Wire. He's been giving us interesting performances currently with Gone Baby Gone, Brooklyn's Finest, The Road and as Chalky White in HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Quentin is known for beefing up and or creating roles for actors so he can add them in his films.

"The rumors of me being considered for the lead role in ‘Django [Unchained]’ is very true. I was in meetings with Quentin, QT as I call him. It came down to Jamie and I,” Williams confirmed. “Wow… what a person to lose to. It’s not official yet but there’s a lot of talk that there may be a role coming back ‘round my way."

"Yes another role in the film. It’s not official yet but there’s a chance.  His people and my people have been in discussions in regards to a role that he is creating for me."

Gerald McRaney Joins Tarantino's Django Unchained

ShowBlitz reports Gerald McRaney (Deadwood, Major Dad) a veteran television actor has landed a role in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. McRaney is expected to play a plantation owner in the film that already has Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz and Kevin Costner starring.

Kerry Washington & Kevin Costner Could Join Django Unchained

Two possible additions are being reported for Quentin Tarantino's epic western Django Unchained. First, Variety says Kerry Washington has met Quentin to play the role of Broomhilda. Django's wife being held captive by Clavin Candie (DiCaprio) at Candyland. Deadline has another impressive cast member with Kevin Costner in talks for the role of Ace Woody. A sadistic trainer of the male fighting slaves that entertain patrons at Candyland and is just as villainous as Candie.

Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained Set For Christmas 2012

We're still waiting on final casting announcements but it looks like everything is moving into place. The Weinstein Company has set a December 25th 2012 release date for Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained.

An R-rated film isn't uncommon for the holiday season as David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is marketing itself as "the feel bad film of Christmas". Not to mention Quentin's Jackie Brown also dropped during the holidays with the tagline "Santa's got a brand new bag". This also seems to conflict with previous thoughts that Django could end up with a speedy post-production like with Basterds for a Cannes 2012 premiere. It sounds more reasonable that it could have it's premiere during the Venice Film Festival.

Jamie Foxx Frontrunner For Django Unchained?

Showbiz411 reports that Jamie Foxx is now inline to land the lead role in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. The role was originally setup for Will Smith but he is rumored to have backed out. The two other candidates include Idris Elba and Chris Tucker. The site also confirms that Leonardo DiCaprio has signed on for Calvin Candie, along with Sam Jackson and Christoph Waltz.

An Overview Of The New Django Candidates

When it comes to a Quentin Tarantino film it can launch careers and earn industry awards for it's actors. Relatively unknown actors like Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Fassbender, Melanie Laurent and Christoph Waltz were given prime roles rising their profiles. He's also known to resurrect careers such as with John Travolta, Pam Gier, David Carradine and Robert Forester. Django Unchained looks to be one of Quentin's most controversial film yet as the spaghetti western homage will focus on America's era of slavery.

While it seems three of the major roles could be filled by Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson and Christoph Waltz. The lead role of freed slave Django might be the second meatiest part in the film. Django is on a mission to save his wife from Calvin Candie (DiCaprio) and his horrific Candyland. The Missouri club pits male slaves in death matches while the women are used as sexual playthings. A German dentist turned bounty hunter agrees to help Django get his wife back and enact revenge on Candie, if he assists him on a few missions first. It's been reported that Will Smith, Idris Elba, Jamie Foxx and Chris Tucker are in the running for the role.

Will Smith was originally linked for the role and had been willing to take a paycut. Those talks seem to have broken down as others are now being mentioned. Smith is an odd actor taking little risks with his film roles and it's not suprising as he's a major money maker. If anything I would compare casting Smith in the role as casting Brad Pitt in the role of Aldo in Basterds. I think Smith has a other projects to be concerned about as Men In Black 3 is in production and is likely to need reshoots. Along with possible roles in The Wachowskis' Hood and Bad Boys 3.

Jamie Foxx has a lot of acting pedigree like Smith as he earned an Oscar for Ray and has had solid career of dramatic, action and comedic roles. Foxx could be the one the studio wants as he might not be asking as much as Smith and could be an easy road to awards consideration. As Jamie is the most well known actor of the new candidates.

Chris Tucker is also very well known internationally but hasn't made a film since Rush Hour 3 (2007). The upside is that Tucker has worked with Quentin previously on Jackie Brown. This very well could be a resurrection of sorts for Tucker as he's been out of the spotlight. A couple of years ago I wouldn't say Chris could fit this role but he's drastically changed psychically. Going from the tall/lanky Tucker from Rush Hour and Friday to a rather bulky guy. If he doesn't land the lead I hope he ends up in another role in the film.

Idris Elba is about to blowup as he's been praised for his television work on The Wire and Luther. Along with excellent supporting roles in films like RockNRolla, Thor, 28 Weeks Later and American Gangster. He reminds me of where Michael Fassbender was in his career when he was cast in Inglourious Basterds. Idris has been a favorite of many people for the role so I'm sure that's been taken into consideration. Hopefully Elba starts the transition to leading man sooner than later. The only problem is that he is also in talks for Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim which will likely conflict with the shooting schedule of Django.

RUMOR: Leonardo DiCaprio Playing Villain In Django Unchained?

Rumors are starting to spread concerning Tarantino's Django Unchained. Recently we heard that Idris Elba could be up for a role in the film, based on cryptic Tweets. Now there is a one coming from Jeff Goldsmith (former Sr. editor of CreativeScreenwriting) who tweeted his own giant casting rumor. He says that Leonardo DiCaprio will play Clavin Candie the slave-owner villain of the film. Of course nothing has been announced yet.

“Casting Rumor: Leonardo DiCaprio WILL play villian Calvin Candie in [Quentin] Tarantino‘s “Django Unchained”! QT wanted him for I.B. & now has him!”


In Variety's original story about Will Smith's involvement, the bounty hunter role of Dr. Shultz was out to Leo but he turned it down. So it was eventually modified for Christoph Waltz. Now it seems like the villainous role could make up for the fact DiCaprio also turned down Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds. There has also been some speculation that Elba could be up for the controversial role of Stephen, the right hand man of Calvin which had been linked to Samuel L. Jackson. Which could mean Will Smith is indeed still on track to play Django.

Leonardo DiCaprio Turns Down Another Tarantino Role

Variety's Jeff Sneider tweeted an interesting casting tidbit concerning the role of Dr. King Schultz (the dentist turned bounty hunter) in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Originally the role was offered to Leonardo DiCaprio but he declined giving Christoph Waltz another opportunity to work with Quentin.

Previously DiCaprio had been Tarantino's top choice to play Col. Hans Landa in Basterds but turned it down making way for Waltz to win an Oscar. I'm curious why DiCaprio is opting not take choice roles in Tarantino films which were written with him in mind. His current batch of projects are likely based on directors alone with roles that seem mostly Oscar bait. I personally enjoyed Leo in Sam Raimi's The Quick & The Dead so I'm a little disappointed he's not returning to the western genre. The rumored/in talks cast currently includes Will Smith, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Franco Nero, Treat Williams, Keith Carradine and Uma Thurman.

Will Smith Frontrunner For Lead In Tarantino's Django Unchained

HeatVision reports that Will Smith is wanted for the lead role in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Smith would play Django a freed slave who teams with a German bounty hunter to save his wife from an evil plantation owner. They also confirm Christoph Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson are circling roles. An official offer has not gone out to Smith but it's likely coming down to his fee.

Marvel's Kevin Feige Talks Black Widow, Hawkeye & S.H.I.E.L.D Films

During a Thor interview with ThePlaylist Kevin Feige gives a bit more insight into Marvel Studios' spin-offs in development. The long talked about S.H.I.E.L.D film is mentioned along with bigger talk of Black Widow and Hawkeye solo films. I still think Widow and Hawkeye should be a team-up film instead of solo movies but you never know with Marvel.

"There’s no definitive plans, but we have started talking and talking with Scarlett about what a Widow movie could be. Internally we’ve also started thinking what a ‘Hawkeye’ movie could be, how we could continue to explore the organization [which Samuel Jackson‘s Nick Fury leads] S.H.I.E.L.D, which has a pretty big part in ‘Thor,’ smaller parts in the two ‘Iron Man’ films and has a giant part in ‘The Avengers.’ [So it’s like], what would a stand-alone “S.H.I.E.L.D.” be like? It all goes back to the comics. Sometimes the answer is—when looking at a certain run of issues— ‘no way’ and sometimes the answer is ‘maybe, let’s continue to explore it’ and certainly with Hawkeye and Black Widow those are two that we’re exploring."

Kevin also said that the next lineup for the 2013-2014 schedule will be announced later this summer which could mean Comic-Con in July. It's unknown if Marvel will have a second film released in 2012. However it's known that Iron Man 3 is set for May 3rd 2013. The list of possible films include Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, Iron Fist and Luke Cage (Power Man). Sequels and spin-offs could also be candidates.

Natalie Portman & Stellan Skarsgård Confirmed For Avengers

It looks like there will be more cross-pollinating in the Marvel universe. BadTaste has word from Chris Hemsworth that Natalie Portman will be returning as Jane Foster in The Avengers. It was also recently mentioned by Stellan Skarsgård himself that he would be reprising his role of Professor Erik Selvig in the film as well. They join an already impressive cast that includes Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Clark Gregg and Cobie Smulders.

This news makes me wonder if Pepper Potts and Rhodey/War Machine will eventually show up in the film as well. As both Don Cheadle and Gwyneth Paltrow have given the impression neither had been approached and will stay in the Iron Man films.

Samuel L. Jackson Confirms New Female Sidekick, Appearences In Cap & Thor

On Jimmy Fallon Avenger's actor Samuel L. Jackson who plays Nick Fury confirmed he was filming scenes for Thor and Captain America. He also confirmed an old rumor that there would be another female character. As he's going to be test-screening with five actresses for the role of his 'side-kick". Jackson also mentions that the start time on the production is April. Likely pushed back to contend with Robert Downey Jr.'s shooting of Sherlock Holmes 2. There have been a few actresses linked to Avengers and a few possible roles to fill. I'll run down these below.


"I'm Nick Fury, I've done two of [these films] already. In the next month or so I've got to do one day [of filming] on THOR and one day on CAPTAIN AMERICA. I have no idea what they want me to do in [them]. Then in April we start on THE AVENGERS.


"I have to screen-test five actresses on Friday. They have this new character that's like my sidekick, she's with me all the time."

While nobody has been able to confirm these actresses yet. I assume one of the trades will hear something over the weekend. One name that keeps coming back to the rumor-mill is Alice Eve. She tested for the role of Peggy Carter and has been linked for Avengers for months now. Malin Akerman and Rachel Nichols (G.I. Joe, Conan) were also included with the same rumor. Yet Malin seems more likely to pursue the role of Lois Lane in Superman. Sundance it-girl Brit Marling (Another Earth) was teased by Clark Gegg (Agent Coulson) during the Sundance Festival. As he Tweeted he was trying to recruit her for Avengers. He later re-Tweeted he was joking but it still seems possible. As Marvel is known for hiring up and coming actors like they did with Chris Hemsworth for Thor. Of course this role could be for a completely different group of actresses.

So what could this role be? There are many possibilities which include SHIELD agents Sharon Carter, Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel), Barbara Morse (Mockingbird) or Maria Hill. The sidekick part of Jackson's quote makes me believe the role they are casting is Maria Hill.